Spottswoode Estate, Napa Valley: 10 Legendary Wines, Prices

The iconic Spottswoode Estate of Napa Valley is renowned for its refined and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah wines.

It all began in 1982 when under the leadership of Mary Weber Novak, the estate produced its very first vintage of their signature Cabernet Sauvignon wine.

Let’s dive in and take a look at the 10 most sensational Spottswoode wines, their investment potential, serving and food pairing tips, and the winery’s vineyards, winemaking, and rich history.

The Historic Spottswoode Estate and Its Awe-Inspiring Wines

Owned by the Novak family since 1972, the journey of the historic Spottswoode Estate has been nothing short of eventful. 

The Spottswoode Estate is situated 60 miles from San Francisco at the foothills of the Mayacamas mountains. 

Spread over 42 acres on the western edge of Saint Helena, the estate primarily grows Cabernet Sauvignon along with small blocks of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Today, the Spottswoode winery produces a limited number of unique wine styles made from its organically farmed vineyards, including:

• Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Easily the most popular Spottswoode wine, this Napa Valley wine is a blend of roughly 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. 

• Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc: In production since 1984, this wine is made with grapes from the Spottswoode Estate and other iconic Napa Valley vineyards. This is a highly acclaimed wine that has been dubbed the “Super Sauvignon” by many wine reviewers across the world.

• Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon: Dynamic, authentic, and captivating - this Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to the linden trees that continue to bloom in the estate’s garden to this day. 

• Estate Cabernet Sauvignon “Mary’s Block”: This fine Sauvignon Blanc was created in honor of the late Mary Novak. It’s sold exclusively to Spottswoode wine club members.  

• Field Book Syrah: Aged in French oak barrels for 16 months, this full-bodied wine is a blend of roughly 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. It has beautiful notes of black cherry with mouth-filling silky tannins. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most sensational wines of Spottswoode winery. 

10 Most Sensational Spottswoode Wines You Must Try

Here are the Spottswoode wines that guarantee to take your breath away:

1. 2015 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon
2. 2018 Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon
3. 2014 Spottswoode Field Book Griffin's Lair Vineyard Syrah
4. 2013 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon
5. 2012 Spottswoode Field Book Griffin's Lair Vineyard Syrah
6. 2020 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, USA
7. 2018 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon
8. 2015 Spottswoode Field Book Griffin's Lair Vineyard Syrah
9. 2016 Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon
10. 2016 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc

1. 2015 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, USA ($310)

This quintessential Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon has a pristine balance of fine-grained tannins and a beautiful medley of bakery aromas. 

2. 2018 Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon, USA ($85)

This rich, full-bodied wine is infused with Asian spice aromas and carries beautiful notes of blackcurrants, violets, licorice, and tobacco. According to Jeb Dunnuck, this wine can age well in your cellar till 2041.

3. 2014 Spottswoode Field Book Griffin's Lair Vineyard Syrah, USA ($165)

This vintage is a much milder Syrah with refreshing flavors of black cherry and red tart fruit. It has a long finish with subtle spice on the nose. 

4. 2013 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, USA ($268)

This Cabernet Sauvignon is made with high quality grapes from the Spottswoode Estate vineyard lands. Respected wine critic Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate rated this elegant red wine a mind-blowing 99 points - need we say more?

5. 2012 Spottswoode Field Book Griffin's Lair Vineyard Syrah, USA ($156)

This is an age-worthy Saint Helena wine with a distinct deep purple color and a savory aroma. The addition of Viognier and 15-20% whole clusters provide a perfect lift to its red fruit characteristics. 

6. 2020 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, USA ($43)

This “Super Sauvignon” brims with citrus and white peach notes with a hint of dried herbs on the nose. It exhibits energy and a mouth-watering finish.

7. 2018 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, USA ($251)

This terroir-driven wine is Aron Weinkauf’s fifth vintage. It carries delicious notes of black cherry, bergamot, and plums and is rated an astounding 96 points by the Wine Spectator. 

8. 2015 Spottswoode Field Book Griffin's Lair Vineyard Syrah, USA ($74)

The flavors of this incredibly supple and smooth wine evolve elegantly on your palate. It begins with a delicious flavor of raspberries and vanilla and leaves a long-lasting taste of white pepper with a hint of sage. 

9. 2016 Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon, USA ($89)

This St Helena wine demonstrates a perfect combination of estate fruit and a wide variety of grapes from many high-profile sites in Napa Valley. It showcases remarkable purity, silky tannins, and distinct flavors of melted chocolate, white pepper, and cherry.

10. 2016 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, USA ($43)

Crafted with excellence, this is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc with a 14.2% ABV. It  flaunts a beautiful, light golden color and opens with peach and nectarine notes. 

Spottswoode Wine Serving and Food Pairing Tips

Spottswoode wines are best served at 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius).

Its red wines work well with classic meat and Asian cuisine dishes.  

The white wines are an excellent accompaniment for all types of seafood dishes, including sushi, sashimi, and shellfish. 

The younger vintages can be decanted for 1-3 hours, while the older vintages require no more than an hour in the decanter.

Investing in Spottswoode Wines

The easiest way to invest in authentic Spottswoode wines is through a trusted wine investment company like Vinovest. 

With Vinovest, you can now buy, store, and sell the most unique and rare wines with just a few clicks. 

The sensational Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has great aging potential of about 20-25 years and provides a substantial return on investment. 

For example, the 2009 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon price appreciated by over 63%, from $211 in 2020 to $344 in 2021.  

The Spottswoode Cabernet has also performed well at auctions. Here are a couple of examples from Sotheby’s auction held in 2021: 

• 6 bottles of the 2013 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon were sold for $1,375.
• 6 bottles of the 2012 vintage of the same wine were sold for $1,250.

Moreover, with an overall annual production of just 5,000 wine cases  - all Spottswoode wines are a great addition to any wine collection.

The Vineyards and Winemaking Practices Of Spottswoode

The Spottswoode estate vineyard terroir consists of alluvial soil and a cool maritime breeze that allows the fruit to ripen well.

In 1985, the estate pioneered organic farming in Napa Valley thanks to the initiatives taken by the late Mary Novak. 

On the winemaking front, the estate has been spearheaded by a succession of extremely talented winemakers. 

These include:

• Tony Soter (1982)
• Pam Starr (1992)
• Rosemary Cakebread (1997)
• Jennifer Williams (2002)
• Aron Weinkauf (2011 - Present)

For the vinification process, the estate uses a combination of cement vats and stainless steel tanks.

The aging of their red wines takes about 22 months, with malolactic fermentation taking place in the barrel.

A Brief History Of Spottswoode Estate

In 1882, George Schonewald purchased 31 acres of land in the St Helena appellation.

Two years later, he sold several acres to Frank Kraft, who established the Kraft Family Wines company.

After a succession of different owners, the estate was finally christened as the Spottswoode Estate in 1910 by Mrs. Albert Spotts.

She later sold it to Mary and Jack Novak in 1972.

Today, this Napa Valley winery is managed by Mary’s daughters Beth Novak Milliken who oversees the winery, and Lindy Novak, who directs the estate’s marketing efforts. 

Ready to buy a Spottswoode wine? 

Add A Sensational Spottswoode Wine To Your Collection Today! 

Spottswoode wines offer remarkable purity and can age beautifully for years. 

Produced in limited quantities, their world-renowned Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon makes for a more-than-worthy investment option.

So, hop on to the Vinovest platform and add a sensational Spottswood wine to your cellar today.